Everyone resonates with a fresh start, a new beginning, a “do over” at the emergence of each new year. Yet, how quickly the goals aren’t reached and the intensity for those things we sought passionately to pursue, dissolves.
It occurred to me that each day we’re given this same fresh start, too often reserved in our minds only for a new year. How is this possible? Because God is full of mercy toward us. He tells us that each morning, when the sun dawns, new mercy and compassion are given. Yesterday’s mercy has ended and today is a fresh start because of the faithfulness of our loving God.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV
I was recently reminded not to pressure myself beyond today, nor to look back regretfully at yesterday. Today is what is before me, and too much thought or worry of tomorrow can just distract me from what God has for me today. Regret of failures can keep me from moving forward to change the things that caused me to fail.
With each rising of the sun may it remind us that the “do over” has been extended. There is grace today for those things which we may not have achieved or done faithfully yesterday. My heart is full at the reality of this beautiful truth. I’m considering January 2, 2016 as “do over” number two of the year… and counting…
…what incredible new mercy!
